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(This review contains spoilers. You have been warned.)

Rocky II is probably the least appreciated of the six Rocky films. Whereas Rocky V received the most negative amount of criticism, this second instalment I wouldn't say went un-noticed at the time, but was never met with as much attention as the original or any of the sequels that followed. I've never understood why, though.

II immediately picks up where the first left off: Rocky is being rushed to hospital on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance by local paramedics. Fearing that the boxer might go blind, doctors immediately operate on his severely damaged eye, which was inflicted by Heavyweight Championship Apollo Creed, in what was supposedly an exhibition bout.

The "Italian Stallion" is eventually discharged, resisting all the media talk of a rematch, and proceeds to ask his girlfriend, Adrian, amidst the beautiful setting of the snow covered Philadelphia Zoo, to marry him.

Laughed off commercial sets for being illiterate, Rocky then attempts to make a living as a working-class everyman, but discovers that he cannot even hold down a job in the local meat factory. He secretly has the desire to fight again, but stays true to his word to Adrian that he won't, and ends up carrying spit buckets in Mickey's gym just to so that he is able to put bread on the table. Adrian, too, goes back to work at Gloria's pet shop.

Now, some fans may find this transitional phase a little off-putting, especially seen as though it delays Rocky's inevitable return to the ring to fight Apollo Creed, but the whole purpose of this is exactly that -- to make the viewer wait and anticipate the fight even more. The outcome is predictable, but the development of the characters is what makes his series special to the viewer.

Some of the most touching moments in Rocky II come when Adrian slips into a coma carrying her and Rocky's baby son. Stallone's depiction of Rocky here as a loving husband and father, a good friend and a passionate individual is so endearing that it makes the film just as satisfying and emotionally fulfilling as the seemingly untouchable original. You feel for the character and his family; particularly, the scene where Rocky writes Adrian a poem is such a beautiful representation of the soul of the street brawler that it brings me to tears nearly every time:

"Remember when we was on ice skates
and I thought you were supposed to be great,
but I kept giving you lip
and you kept trying to slip
-so I could catch ya,
and that was our first date
and every day after that was great,
so now I want you to know
that wherever you go
-Atlantic City or in the snow,
don't worry about a thing
'cause as long as I got this ring,
I'll always be there to catch ya."

Adrian shortly wakes up after this expression of poetry and greets Rocky with the words "Win. WIN!", which inspire the boxer to overcome his fear and train for the rematch with Apollo, in what is perhaps the most tense of all the montages in the series.

Rocky II is a fantastic sequel, and to this day I can never understand why people tend not to rank it as one of their favourites in the series. This is much more than a remake of the original; it's about Rocky coming to terms with what he is -- a fighter -- believing in himself and being able to provide for his family. Despite the limited success that he had going the distance with the champ the first time around, the character finds himself at rock bottom and has to dig down deeper than he has ever done before so that he is able to find his self-belief. Arguably, it's a much darker and tenser tale this time around.

A majority of critics at the time disagreed that Rocky II had the charisma to match the original. Personally, though, I cannot help but be overwhelmed by Rocky's triumph over the champion every time that I watch this first sequel. Despite its predictability, it is Stallone's desire to paint a truly emotional picture of the underdog that we become inspired by the character's strength and determination to carry on -- even when the odds are seemingly stacked against him. The fight choreography in the final battle is absolutely thrilling and really makes you root for the Philadelphian slugger up until the final bell.

Critics can doubt Rocky all they want, but it'll just make it evermore sweeter to say then that "Yo, Adrian, he did it!" when the character's determination is finally rewarded. The people love you, Rock, so keep fighting on.

(C) Andy Carrington, 2008.